Brick House

Project scope

- Art Buyer
- Renovation and remodel of client’s single family home (5,255 sq. ft.)

Our charge

- Art Buying
Now here is something a little different. Having completely transformed the interiors for this traditional New England home (see project name “Brick Int./Ext.”), We were asked to help the home-owners procure art for the Foyer, Living Room & Dining Room. Working with friend and Boston based art consultant Lori Damon we set about this task.

Even though their home is traditional in style and finish, our client couple are young and dynamic. Lori & I wanted to choose art that would express some of their interests and experiences regardless of style, and enhance the transformed home’s interior spatial dynamic.

The first move was to learn the clients’ aesthetic proclivities and tolerance for risk. To do this Lori gathered images in several categories of artistic expression then together we boiled these down to a hundred or so images to present. The client was asked to rank them from “strong positive” to “no way”. Next we visited several art galleries and the studios of a few local artists to collect a short list of approximately 50 pieces for the client to select from. We were careful to orchestrate this process so that the final collection of 13 pieces in the 3 rooms (a diptych was also chosen for the master bedroom) created a balanced dynamic with in each room and as seen from one room into the next. Finally, we assisted by selecting the framing where needed and personally controlled the installation for each piece.

- Renovation and remodel
The existing layout was very old-fashion, dark and compartmentalized. The young family loved the appearance of the home and the generous yard space, so did not want any alterations to negatively impact those aspects of the property.

After preparing a feasibility study to explore satisfying the clients goals with additions vs. working with-in the existing structure, it was determined that success could be achieved with only a very modest addition to the existing footprint. We identified unused and under utilized spaces in the attic and basement that could be transformed to satisfy the need for new space. These included kid’s play and study spaces, a proper laundry room and guest suite.

At the main floor an open country kitchen was created by combining the old kitchen, powder room and den spaces. The previous walk-through breakfast nook/pantry was converted to a side entry/mudroom with a powder room. A large opening was created between the dining room and new kitchen to complete the linking of first floor spaces. A porch was converted to a finished room creating a sunroom and substitute for the lost den.

New moldings and trim were added to freshen up the spaces and improve the proportions of the long living room. Built-ins were created to improve storage and display needs.